supper time

My 23 month old hardly ever eats supper! He eats a great breakfast and lunch. He drinks about 3-4 cups of whole milk a day and sometimes has a very small afternoon snack. Rarely will he eat more than 2 bites at supper. Is he just full from the day?!!

My 23 month old hardly ever eats supper! He eats a great breakfast and lunch. He drinks about 3-4 cups of whole milk a day and sometimes has a very small afternoon snack. Rarely will he eat more than 2 bites at supper. Is he just full from the day?!!

My 14 month old is the same way. Sometimes it's different if we're out, but mostly I can only get him to eat breakfast and lunch, with snack mixed in there. I don't really press the issue since he is getting the necessary calories, but If you're concerned maybe chat with his ped at his next appt.

My 14 month old is the same way. Sometimes it's different if we're out, but mostly I can only get him to eat breakfast and lunch, with snack mixed in there. I don't really press the issue since he is getting the necessary calories, but If you're concerned maybe chat with his ped at his next appt.

We were told no more then 16oz of whole milk a day or they won't eat enough and it can affect iron absorption. Also read toddlers eat 90% of their daily calories before 1:00pm so supper should be smaller than lunch.

We were told no more then 16oz of whole milk a day or they won't eat enough and it can affect iron absorption. Also read toddlers eat 90% of their daily calories before 1:00pm so supper should be smaller than lunch.

I talked to my ped and he said if he's not eating good but will drink milk to give him milk for the calories. He hasn't gained (just maintained) weight in 9 months. I haven't thought about iron issues...

I talked to my ped and he said if he's not eating good but will drink milk to give him milk for the calories. He hasn't gained (just maintained) weight in 9 months. I haven't thought about iron issues...

My 2.5 year old is the same way. I have found a couple of tricks. 1. I increased his after nap snack. I treat it almost as a mini dinner. A fruit veggie pouch, nuts, yogurt... Lots of protein. If he doesn't go for that then a big walk before dinner. We run around the block as fast as we can or play a game outside to get energy out and increase his appetite. It's still a challenge but I just make sure his other meals are most of his nutrition

My 2.5 year old is the same way. I have found a couple of tricks. 1. I increased his after nap snack. I treat it almost as a mini dinner. A fruit veggie pouch, nuts, yogurt... Lots of protein. If he doesn't go for that then a big walk before dinner. We run around the block as fast as we can or play a game outside to get energy out and increase his appetite. It's still a challenge but I just make sure his other meals are most of his nutrition

When you say 3-4 cups do you mean measuring cups or 8oz servings? Milk is very filling and they don't need much if it at that age. I give my girls about 16oz split between breakfast, cereal if we have it, and lunch. The rest of the day it's water.

When you say 3-4 cups do you mean measuring cups or 8oz servings? Milk is very filling and they don't need much if it at that age. I give my girls about 16oz split between breakfast, cereal if we have it, and lunch. The rest of the day it's water.

3-4 cups of whole milk a day may be too much, and might be part of the reason why he isn't hungry for dinner. Kids this age should only be having about 16-24 (max) oz of milk per day. Any more than that can have an effect on appetite and can cause iron deficiency anemia and other nutritional deficiencies. I'd recommend cutting back to two cups of milk per day.

But I think it's pretty common for toddlers to not eat at dinner time. My pediatrician mentioned this, which I remember because my daughter is oddly the opposite. It's almost like she starves herself by not eating breakfast or lunch and then she's ravenous at dinnertime! My pediatrician has said not to worry about a toddler's picky eating behavior's too much, and not to try to force them to eat because they'll eat when they are hungry.

3-4 cups of whole milk a day may be too much, and might be part of the reason why he isn't hungry for dinner. Kids this age should only be having about 16-24 (max) oz of milk per day. Any more than that can have an effect on appetite and can cause iron deficiency anemia and other nutritional deficiencies. I'd recommend cutting back to two cups of milk per day.

But I think it's pretty common for toddlers to not eat at dinner time. My pediatrician mentioned this, which I remember because my daughter is oddly the opposite. It's almost like she starves herself by not eating breakfast or lunch and then she's ravenous at dinnertime! My pediatrician has said not to worry about a toddler's picky eating behavior's too much, and not to try to force them to eat because they'll eat when they are hungry.

3-4 cups of milk a day is a lot more than he needs. By the time children are two, they only need 2 servings of milk and alternatives a day (according to the Canada food Guide http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/quantit-eng.php ) and that includes cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. Also, milk is very filling so you should pay attention to when he is drinking milk. If he drinks a cup of milk right before dinner, he probably won't be very hungry :)

3-4 cups of milk a day is a lot more than he needs. By the time children are two, they only need 2 servings of milk and alternatives a day (according to the Canada food Guide http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/quantit-eng.php ) and that includes cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. Also, milk is very filling so you should pay attention to when he is drinking milk. If he drinks a cup of milk right before dinner, he probably won't be very hungry :)

Thanks everyone. He loves milk... Obviously. We've tried water and juice but he throws it and screams for milk. He goes for a check up next week and I'm gonna talk to doc about switching to 2% milk. Maybe that will help.

Thanks everyone. He loves milk... Obviously. We've tried water and juice but he throws it and screams for milk. He goes for a check up next week and I'm gonna talk to doc about switching to 2% milk. Maybe that will help.

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